A 20th Spring Season of successful overseas tours is in the books after three American colleges traveled to Europe with Global Football in May and June.
Since 1996, Global Football has provided amateur football players, coaches, families and fans the opportunity to travel and compete internationally, producing games and tours in 23 countries on 6 continents, involving 350 teams and more than 14,000 travelers.
Hanover College from Indiana traveled to Ireland and on to Scotland, where they were welcomed by host opponent the East Kilbride Pirates. Central College from Iowa returned to Italy to play against the Roma Grizzlies, having first explored Greece. Luther College followed its Scandinavian roots from Iowa back to Norway, visiting Denmark along the way before facing the Norwegian national team on the football field.
Now back home stateside the head coach of each Division III football program spoke enthusiastically of the opportunity to take his team to Europe for an educational and sporting endeavor.
“It was definitely a great trip for everyone involved,” said Steve Baudendistel of Hanover College. “Global Football and Anthony Travel are first class organizations that made the experience for our players, and their safety, their top priority. I can’t say enough about how impressed I am with them. From the very beginning of the planning process until we made it back to campus everything was well organized and thought through. I can’t wait to travel with them again for our next trip.”
Jeff McMartin of Central College said: “I want to take a minute thank you for everything you did for our football team and their families. Everyone had an unbelievable experience. It is something we will never forget. It has created yet an even stronger bond among the team. Grazie!”
That sentiment was echoed by Aaron Hafner of Luther College who added: “Our trip to Norway and Denmark was exceptional. The players, coaches and families had a life-changing experience provided by Global Football. Our game against the Norwegian national team was very well organized and created a wonderful game day environment for our team. The interactions with their players, coaches and staff following the game were a highlight of the trip. We spent time in Copenhagen and took a fjord excursion that made the trip complete. Global Football made a dream come true for our football team.”